Major city · United States
StaffordStafford, Virginia
Give Stafford one night, or a half-day stop off I-95: Civil War trails, a 1711 church and Government Island quarry, then push on to Fredericksburg.
Stafford is a suburban county seat on the I-95 corridor between Washington, DC and Richmond, about 40 miles south of DC and 10 miles north of Fredericksburg. It is not a sightseeing town: the draws are a small set of historic and natural sites spread along US-1 and the interstate, plus cheap highway lodging that undercuts Fredericksburg and Quantico. Most travellers pass through; a half-day or one night is enough unless you are visiting family at Quantico or using it as a base for the wider county.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), peak summer I-95 traffic
- Airports
- DCA · IAD · RIC
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Stafford911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Stafford County Sheriff (non-emergency)540-658-4400
- Virginia Poison Center800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Stafford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyStafford is a low-crime suburban county and safe for visitors by US standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 540-658-4400 Stafford County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 800-222-1222 Virginia Poison Center
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 45–60 min north by car via I-95; the closest major airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights sit 3–8 miles apart along US-1 and Route 610, with no useful local bus for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, per personBefore tax and an 18–22% tip.$20–35
- BeerBeer at a bar$6–9
- Budget bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$170
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 45–60 min north by car via I-95; the closest major airport.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (About 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min by car; allow extra for Beltway traffic.) · RIC Richmond International (About 1 h 15 min south by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stafford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights sit 3–8 miles apart along US-1 and Route 610, with no useful local bus for visitors. I-95 runs the length of the county; exits 140, 143 and 148 serve the main clusters. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Fredericksburg Line stops at Brooke and Leeland Road and runs to Washington, DC on weekdays only — no weekend service, so plan around it. Parking at the historic sites is free.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fredericksburg
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Car south on I-95 or US-1, about 10 miles
Colonial-era downtown, battlefields and a walkable historic district; the obvious half-day or full-day add-on.
Quantico and the National Museum of the Marine Corps
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car north on I-95 to Exit 148, about 10 miles
Free museum, large and well done; allow 2–3 hours. Base access is restricted, the museum is not.
Washington, DC
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h by car; about 1 h 15 min by train
Car north on I-95, or VRE Fredericksburg Line on weekdays
Doable as a day trip, but traffic makes the train the better call on weekdays.
Aquia Harbour
cautionDoor to door: About 10–15 min
Car north on US-1, about 5 miles
Mostly a gated residential community; visitor access is limited. Aquia Episcopal Church nearby is the real draw.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Exit 143 / US-1 north (Garrisonville area)
The main motel and hotel cluster, north of the town centre; easiest for a car and quick I-95 access.
Exit 140 / county offices area
Near the courthouse and government offices; quieter, fewer beds, still close to the interstate.
Aquia Harbour
Gated residential community with limited visitor lodging; useful if you are visiting residents.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Midscale chain hotel room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Car rental, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Fuel, about 50 miles of local driving1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$302 per person per day, bed included | US$603 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner or fast-casual lunch | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner, per personBefore tax and an 18–22% tip. | $20–35 |
| Beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| Gallon of petrolcheck | $3.00–3.60 |
| VRE one-way to Washington, DCcheck; weekdays only. | $10–14 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- I-95 between DC and Fredericksburg is one of the most congested corridors in the US: avoid 15:00–19:00 northbound on weekdays and Sunday afternoons.I-95 between DC and Fredericksburg is one of the most congested corridors in the US: avoid 3:00 PM–7:00 PM northbound on weekdays and Sunday afternoons.
- VRE commuter trains run weekdays only; there is no weekend service.
- Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve has limited access and seasonal closures — check before driving out.
- Some historic sites are on private or church land with irregular hours: confirm before you go.
- Summer heat and ticks in the wooded preserves: long sleeves and repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Stafford County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 540-658-4400
- Virginia Poison Center
- 800-222-1222
Pocket card
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StaffordStafford, Virginia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Stafford County Sheriff (non-emergency)540-658-4400
- Virginia Poison Center800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Stafford. Washington, DC, about 40 miles north, holds the embassies and most consulates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- VRE Stafford (Brooke/Leeland Rd) → Washington, DC: about $10–14 one way, about 1 h 15 min, weekdays only (check)
- I-95 Express Lanes, typical peak toll: $10–30 depending on distance and time (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Stafford to Fredericksburg: $20–35 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the interstate exit? — Where is the interstate exit?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is Fredericksburg? — How far is Fredericksburg?
- Is this land private? — Is this land private?
- Thank you — Thank you
US tipping applies: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Stafford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), peak summer I-95 traffic · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for DCA, IAD and RIC with field-checked drive times and I-95 traffic windows.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Government Island, Aquia Church, Stafford Civil War Park, Crow's Nest.
- Place pages with verified hours and access rules (Aquia Church, Government Island, Crow's Nest, Civil War Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weekday-only VRE fixtures so arrival and departure plans can go green.
Sources
Ask about Stafford
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